Pakistani judges reject ban on politicians with previous convictions
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday overturned a law that banned politicians with previous convictions from holding political office. This paves the way for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s participation in the parliamentary elections in February.
A seven-judge panel of the country’s highest court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, ruled 6-1 that a person cannot be barred from candidacy for life. The court instead ruled that politicians can only be banned for a term of five years.
Critics had said the law was draconian and used for political persecution.
Mr Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, was disqualified from running for life as a candidate in 2017. He never completed his term, causing him to clash with the country’s powerful military or, in the latter case, to be toppled by corruption allegations.
Mr Sharif left Pakistan in 2019 for London, but returned in October to revive his political career and contest the February 8 general election. Marriyum Aurangzeb, the central information secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Mr. Sharif’s political party, praised the decision as a “vindication” for Mr. Sharif.
Ms Aurangzeb said Mr Sharif had been the victim of political persecution. “Only the people of Pakistan have the power to qualify or disqualify their representatives through their vote,” she said.
As the country organizes elections early next month, the atmosphere in the country is tense. Pakistan has been facing a political and economic crisis since April 2022, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains very popular, was removed from power by a no-confidence vote in parliament after losing the support of the powerful military establishment .
Mr Khan is in prison on several charges, including treason, and his party’s candidates complain they are being denied a level playing field and the right to campaign freely. His party members have accused state authorities of intimidation, intimidation and unwarranted arrests.
The major political parties have not actively campaigned and no major political rallies have been held so far, partly due to uncertainty about the polls and partly due to security fears. Militant attacks in the country have also increased in recent months.
On January 3, Mohsin Dawar, a prominent politician belonging to the National Democratic Movement political party, escaped a assassination attempt after his convoy was attacked in the North Waziristan region in the northwest of the country. Mr Dawar’s bulletproof vehicle was hit on the front and side mirrors, although he remained safe. No responsibility was claimed for the attack.
Last week, the country’s Senate passed a resolution calling for the election to be postponed. citing safety concerns. The resolution was passed by a group of independent senators.
But government officials stressed there would be no delay or postponement.
“The elections will take place on February 8 as planned,” said Murtaza Solangi, the interim information minister.